The lipid profile of three Malassezia species assessed by Raman spectroscopy and discriminant analysis

139

110

Yeasts of the genus, Malassezia, formerly known as Pityrosporum, are lipophilic yeasts, which are a part of the normal skin flora (microbiome). Malassezia colonize the human skin after birth and must therefore, as commensals, be normally tolerated by the human immune system. The Malassezia yeasts also have a pathogenic potential where they can, under appropriate conditions, invade the stratum corneum and interact with the host immune system, both directly but also through chemical mediators. The species distribution on the skin and the pathogenetic potential of the yeast varies between different Malassezia related diseases such as head and neck dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, pityriasis versicolor, and Malassezia folliculitis. The diagnostic methods used to confirm the presence of Malassezia yeasts include direct microcopy, culture based methods (often a combination of morphological features of the isolate combined with biochemical test), molecular based methods such as Polymerase Chain Reaction techniques, and Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time Of Flight mass spectrometry and the chemical imprint method Raman spectroscopy. Skin diseases caused by Malassezia are usually treated with antifungal therapy and if there are associated inflammatory skin mechanisms this is often supplemented by anti-inflammatory therapy. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of Malassezia related skin disease, diagnostic methods and treatment options.

Section: Diagnosticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Malassezia-Associated Skin Diseases, the Use of Diagnostics and Treatment

Saunte

Gaitanis

Hay

2020

139

110

“…These enzymes might play complex roles in the human hosts, on one hand were involved in the pathogenesis, and on the other hand had a protective function ( Rhimi et al., 2020 ). Studies found that M. furfur strains causing fungemia showed very high lipolytic enzyme activity, which were considered as virulence factors since they might be related to the colonization, proliferation, invasion and persistence in host tissues ( Petrokilidou et al., 2019 ). However, Malassezia yeasts lacked fatty acid synthase and δ-9 desaturase, making them unable to synthesize lipids thus suggesting that they might need to inhabit lipid-rich skin or use exogenous lipids ( Vijaya Chandra et al., 2021 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clinical data analysis of 86 patients with invasive infections caused by Malassezia furfur from a tertiary medical center and 37 studies

Zhang

Jin

et al. 2023

ObjectiveMalassezia furfur (M. furfur) is a lipophilic, conditionally pathogenic yeast that mainly causes skin infections, but the reports of related invasive infections are increasing. The aim of this study is to provide clinical data to assist physicians in the management of patients with invasive infections caused by M. furfur.MethodsA case of pulmonary infection caused by M. furfur in a hematopoietic stem cell transplant patient for aplastic anemia was reported. In addition, the literature on invasive infection by M. furfur published in PubMed and Web of Science in English until 31 July 2022 was reviewed.ResultsClinical data analysis of 86 patients (from 37 studies and our case) revealed that most of them were preterm (44.2%), followed by adults (31.4%). M. furfur fungemia occurred in 79.1% of the 86 patients, and 45 of them were clearly obtained from catheter blood. Other patients developed catheter-related infections, pneumonia, peripheral thromboembolism, endocarditis, meningitis, peritonitis and disseminated infections. Thirty-eight preterm infants had underlying diseases such as very low birth weight and/or multiple organ hypoplasia. The remaining patients had compromised immunity or severe gastrointestinal diseases. 97.7% of patients underwent invasive procedures and 80.2% received total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Fever, thrombocytopenia and leukocytosis accounted for 55.8%, 38.4% and 24.4% of patients with M. furfur invasive infections, respectively. 69.8% of the patients received antifungal therapy, mainly amphotericin B (AmB) or azoles. Of 84 patients with indwelling catheters, 58.3% underwent the removal of catheters. TPN were discontinued in 30 of 69 patients. The all-cause mortality of 86 patients was 27.9%.ConclusionsM. furfur can cause a variety of invasive infections. These patients mostly occur in premature infants, low immunity and severe gastrointestinal diseases. Indwelling catheters and TPN infusion are major risk factors. AmB, l-AmB and azoles are the most commonly used agents, and simultaneous removal of the catheter and termination of TPN infusion are important for the treatment of M. furfur invasive infections.

“…These enzymes could on one hand contribute to pathogenesis but on the other hand have a protective function, leading to a potentially very complex role for Malassezia on and in the human host. Lipases particularly have been considered virulence factors of Malassezia yeasts since they may be involved in the invasion, colonization, persistence and proliferation within host tissues (Petrokilidou et al, 2019 ). The first Malassezia gene encoding an extracellular lipase was identified in M. furfur and was designated as LIP1.…”

Section: Pathogenesismentioning

confidence: 99%

Malassezia spp. Yeasts of Emerging Concern in Fungemia

Rhimi

Theelen

Boekhout

et al. 2020

Malassezia spp. are lipid-dependent yeasts, inhabiting the skin and mucosa of humans and animals. They are involved in a variety of skin disorders in humans and animals and may cause bloodstream infections in severely immunocompromised patients. Despite a tremendous increase in scientific knowledge of these yeasts during the last two decades, the epidemiology of Malassezia spp. related to fungemia remains largely underestimated most likely due to the difficulty in the isolation of these yeasts species due to their lipid-dependence. This review summarizes and discusses the most recent literature on Malassezia spp. infection and fungemia, its occurrence, pathogenicity mechanisms, diagnostic methods, in vitro susceptibility testing and therapeutic approaches.